XP doesn't recognize files on CD

I was going through some old cds and came to this one that shows it empty when opened but shows it full with no free space after clicking on properties. I don't want to erase it if it has something I wanted to keep.

I posted a thread about XP not recognizing files on a cd and thought to check my dvd/cd player recorder. I found an unknown device (disabled) in device manager between my network adapters and ports. I don't think they're related (DVD/CD player and unknown device), just showing how I found it. I can't think of any hardware I've disabled.

 

The CD wasn't finalized after the files were burned; effectively, this means that unless you can put it back into the same drive that burnt it, using the same software and then finalize it, the data doesn't exist.

Something that digs deeper, like Unstoppable Copier, may be able to dig out the data but I wouldn't bank on it.

 

Thanks for the responses. This particular cd is a cd=rw if that matters. Is there a way to finalize it and read what's on it. I've used rw's 95% of the time and have never finalized any. I did change my cd/dvd player recorder about 2 years ago but I can read other cds that were recorded on in that same time frame.

 

I just finished checking my motherboard drivers and they're up to date. My ethernet card tried to install new a driver from device manager but got an error. Is their another program besides slimdrivers that can find the latest drivers? Slimdrivers couldn't find any drivers that were better.

 

I see no evidence from the OP that a hardware driver has any part in this. A software driver for drag and drop recording, maybe.

Did you try Unstoppable Copier?

Slimdrivers, like most software of that ilk, is not perfect.

 

Thanks, I'll give unstoppable copier a look.

 

Well I gave unstoppable copier a try but it didn't work.

 

Sorry, other than resurrecting the original drive and software, I can't think of another way to access the files; maybe someone else will come by and study the problem and come up with something.

 

Thanks anyway, I'll get it figured out somehow. I hate to format it and not know what's on the disc.

 

Does your burning software have an option to import a previous multisession or continue a multisession disk. I ran into this problem once and had to tell the burning software that I was going to add to the previous compilation. I used Nero. In this image you can see the option to continue a multisession disk. What burning software do you have?

http://forum.videohelp.com/images/guides/p1901591/nero.jpg

As far as the yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager, can you provide the Vendor and Device ID as shown.

http://www.askdrtech.com/solutions/image.axd?picture=2010%2F3%2Fhardware-id-02.jpg

 

I have Nero but I'm not sure I used Nero to copy to this disk. I did a format and clean install about a year ago and may not have installed the same program. the exclaimation in device manager is in other devices and is ROOT\LEGACY_BEEP\XX_MBAMSERVICE_XX

 

See if Nero will recognize the disk by selecting continue multisession.

I think the device has something to do with Malwarebytes but I am not sure why is would show up in Device Manager unless you have the Pro version. Do you still have it on your computer?

 

My Neroi (Nero Express) doesn't have the option to continue multi session, just create a data, music, copy disc or make a video. As far as Malwarebytes, I still have it but it isn't the pro version.

 

Open Nero Express with the CD in the drive and drag a file into the compilation window. Does Nero notify you of files on the disk or ask you if you would like to add to the current files?

Edit: Another option would be to try the recovery with Multitools Power Data Recover. It will let you recover up to 1GB for free.

http://www.powerdatarecovery.com/cd-dvd-recovery.html

 

My Nero doesn't have the continue multi session and as far as Malwarebytes, I still have it but it's nor the pro version.

 

I tried adding some files to it and ir's prompting me to title it but makes no mention of anything on it.
I take back my last statement, it says that the disk is not empty. It says it can't erase ot at this stage but could lose information if I proceed.

 

In my previous post I mentioned Minitools Power Data Recovery. Does that find anything on the disk?

 

I tried the recovery tool and used both the open and scan methods. Open didn't show anything and scan showed 2 files but didn't name them. I couldn't recover anything because it didn't list any files.

 

After everything you have tried, I am not sure this will work but you may want to give it a try. Download Starburn and Install. Do not check Virtual DVD emulator or the Google options when installing. With the disk in the drive start Starburn and then select Burn Data. It should recognize if this is a multisession CD and ask you if you want to import the last session. With the CD in the drive you can select Device in the Menu bar and click properties. Then click Disk Information. It should tell you if the CD is multisession or not.

http://www.starburnsoftware.com/help/images/image71_116.png

http://majorgeeks.com/StarBurn_d5936.html

 

Well I tried it but it didn't say anything about a multi session. It kind of acted like the disk was empty and was ready to burn some data.

I just now clicked on properties (on starburn) and it said the disk had no free space with 702 mb used.

 

I would say that disk is beyond saving. Sorry. I am out of ideas. Maybe somebody else here can jump in with some thoughts.

 

I believe you're right, it's time to put this baby to bed. Thanks for trying to help me out.